dapopa9

I have a 2008 Z06 running Mobil1 15w-50. What is the maximum oil temp to where you should start letting off and allow the temps to cool?

Thanks for the advice!

Rob Willis

I'd say 290-300.

Bill Dearborn

I usually don't see oil temps over 265 but I agree you can run it hard until the temps get close to 300. Shoot I regularly saw 300+ degree oil temps on both of my C5s until I installed a larger radiator with EOC. First day I tracked my C5Z I saw a 319 oil temp at the finish of one 40 minute session. 1 degree from turning on the over temp warning.

Bill

RedLS1GTO

Holy crap. The warning is @ 320 on the LS6? I never really thought to look.


In the C4, I regularly saw 300 out of Amsoil Dominator 15w50, even with a cooler on it. It always scared the crap out of me but after a few years I never saw any ill effects.

The problem that I see with the original question is with the term "start letting off." From my experience, if you get temps that high, simply letting off a little isn't going to fix it. You might slow the increase, but short of running around at highway speeds and shifting at 2k rpm, they aren't going back down in a short amount of time. The same goes for trans temps. It's not the same as heating up brakes or tires where you can take it easy for a lap or 2 and get the temps back where they need to be.

The only real solution for high temps is a cooler.

Larry Myers

When your old, like me, you've slowed enough so as to not worry about oil temp. These days my biggest worry is being able to get out of the car at the end of the session.

dapopa9

Thanks guys for your input. In SoCal it is consistently 100+ degrees at most of the tracks around here so the oil temps go up really quick.

geerookie

Try running something like Amsoil 10w-40 premium oil and your oil temps will lower. 50 weight is too thick for an LS motor.

blkbrd69

+1 unless this is a "track only" car then a true race oil should be used. A "good" 40 weight oil will run cooler due to less drag and help cool your components better.

Dont really consider the "new EPA happy" mobil one good for the track, OK but not really up to the task.

dapopa9

not sure I quite understand this comment? Was it misworded?

blkbrd69

No. In a race car / track only toy, you dont worry as much about multiple cold starts and runs where oil doesnt come up to full temp. Most people that race understand you need to warm the thing up before thrashing on it.

A race oil does not have the detergent a street oil has and does not have to go 5-10K between changes. Allows it to lubricate and cool instead of clean and make CATS and the EPA happy.

6SPEEDZ

There is nothing wrong with running 15w-50. In fact the C7 requires it for track use.

dapopa9

so it should have said "IF this is a "track only" car then a true race oil should be used"

Bill Dearborn

I hope I don't slow too much but yes getting in and out of the car is a chore. Especially with the race seat mounted in it. A couple of years ago I stopped at a rest area along an interstate and as I got out of the car the guy who worked there said "What's an old guy like you doing driving a car like that?" I said "I feel like I am 30 so it's OK."

Bill

blkbrd69

?????Sure??OK..

Rob Willis

It's recommended in the manual for the new C7 LT1 if tracking the car.
Mobil 1 15w50

6SPEEDZ

As I mentioned in post #11

StKnoWhere

I'm with ya